Not long after her arrival, she finds herself on a lunch date with Julian, an Oxford-educated British banker in his late 20s. Have I compared this book to Sally Rooney enough times yet?? In stylish, uncluttered prose, Naoise Dolan dissects the personal and financial transactions that make up a life--and announces herself as a singular new voice. Figures such as Victoria serve to generate much of the books caustic wit. You have to understand that this is the kind of story I have very high standards for because the plot is an evergreen plot: young person at loose ends making her way in the world and deciding who to love. Millennials floundering in the realms of the heart. Its free and takes less than 10 seconds! Anyone can read what you share. I loved him potentially, she thinks. It read as slow-paced indecisiveness. Dolan has a great eye and I was poised over my Kindle highlighting witty dialogue and observations more than a few times. Incredibly readable.' - Belfast Telegraph. Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. Naoise Dolan's Exciting Times drew instant comparisons to Sally Rooney's Conversations with Friends (2017) and Normal People (2019)perhaps because Dolan and Rooney are both brilliant Irish . Exciting Times By: Naoise Dolan. This gives the novel a strangely solipsistic feel, like a hall of mirrors, where every attempt to gaze outward is met only by your own face. June 2, 2020. With a similar rhythm of detachment and sparsity found in Rooney and Ottessas writing, I can see why comparisons are being drawn, and I dont think this comparison does Dolan any disservice. "Exciting Timesby Naoise Dolan follows a young 20-something as she flees Dublin for Hong Kong in search of a life that matches her desires. I know it's frustrating that any new young female writer must find themselves compared to Sally Rooney. She's instructing the dispassionate topic of grammar to youngsters in Hong Kong. "Exciting Timesfollows 22-year-old Ava as she leaves Ireland to teach in Hong Kong. [3] A college debater, she co-convened the Irish Mace competition in 2015/16. Exciting Times Naoise Dolan. Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. As I started reading this novel, I realized I had to take my time with it. Her debut novel, Exciting Times, was a Sunday Times bestseller, widely translated, and optioned for television. Reviews | Click here and be the first to review this book! . Like New Very Good Good. And others will find that not much happens and it's just meh. Always fun reading the #readwithmc selection!" By this I mean that Naise Dolan also focuses on love from a millennial point of view. Surely, Dolan has much in common with the immensely popular Rooney in terms of themes and style. 1. Exciting Times Naoise Dolan. She has been shortlisted and longlisted for several prizes, including The Women's Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize and The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year . I loved Exciting Times and could see within the first few chapters why it's on lots of best books 2020 lists. @kelseylovesbooks. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Exciting Times takes place in Hong Kong around 2015, when 22 year-old Ava leaves Ireland to take a job as a TEFL teacher and find her own way in the world.This is a novel of many layers. The project, based on Irish writer Naoise Dolan's debut novel, hails from U.S. financier-producer Black Bear Pictures, which optioned rights to the book ahead of its June 2020 U.S. release to . But boy, this novel feels so liveless and fake. Her debut novel, Exciting Times, was a Sunday Times bestseller, widely translated, and optioned for television. Nordstrom has been the go-to destination for fashion editors alike, and this season is no different. This model of relationship-as-power-struggle is hardly new, but Dolan brings a fresh 21st-century sensibility to it. Naoise Dolan. Often when I read a queer novel some of it feels forced; this was seamless. If in part one, Ava feels held at a frustrating distance why is she so hard on herself? GENERAL FICTION, by Exciting Times? His privilege is the invisible third party in the relationship. anyway i picked this novel up solely because of the sally rooney comparisons and in the second chapter itself a sentence begins like because i lacked warmth [] which reminded me of the quote in rooney's second novel that goes [..] marianne lacks warmth, by which she means the ability to beg for love from people who hate her. what i will say in my measured judgement is that rooney's writing, especially considering. Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. But I didnt trust anyone.The richer I got, the harder it would be for anyone to force me to do anything. Dolans preoccupation with power is often couched in humor but always expertly observed. The most insightful and raw of these are the caustic observations about Irelands repressive attitudes to homosexuality and abortionand how they damage individual lives. Very . Summary. Sigh. This is one of the hottest debut authors of 2020, described as the new Sally Rooney and perfect for fans ofAnimalsandTrick Mirror. BookBrowse LLC 1997-2023. Its something I appreciate in memoirs and also in literary fiction. Do you re-read witty comebacks to try and bake them into your mind should you ever need them? Trouble signing in? This book is incredibly fine. Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. An entire novel in this vein might become wearing, but Dolan takes her narrative to a new level when she brings in a character Ava actually likes: Edith, a local who went to boarding school in England. She's a long way from her home in Ireland. But Im going to just get it out of the way, for Naoise Dolan is Irish, in her mid-20s, and her debut was previewed in literary magazine The Stinging Fly while Rooney edited it. But the intellectual aura inserted across the novel felt taut and occasionally reaching. And sometimes youre just not sure anything looks good and nothing quite fits right. Here goes apologies if this review gets a bit ranty. Read an excerpt from Emiko Jean's new novel, here, then dive in with us throughout the month. 5.79. Some will find Ava absolutely intolerable and insufferable and won't be able to finish the first 25 pages. This years Womens Prize for Fiction longlist includes quite a few of these disaster women books and I for one am really pleased with that. Sentences are short. She has been short-listed and long-listed for several prizes, including the Women's Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize, and the Sunday Times Young Writer . But real life is messy and people are messy, and this book dramatizes that in a way that rings profoundly true. Naoise Dolan captures perfectly the nauseating insecurity of growing up today. In Irish author Dolan's debut novel, 22-year-old narrator Ava relocates from Dublin to Hong Kong to teach grammar at a school for English-language learners. All rights reserved.Information at BookBrowse.com is published with the permission of the copyright holder or their agent. An intimate, bracingly intelligent debut novel about a millennial Irish expat who becomes entangled in a love triangle with a male banker and a female lawyer. [5] Dolan obtained an English degree from Trinity College Dublin in 2016 [6] [2] and later a Master's in Victorian literature from Oxford University. Politics, class, and race anxiously hover over the entire novel. Julian is a banker. A sharp, witty and ultimately moving debut . Naoise Dolan More Books, Published Jun 2020 In her first months as an expat, she meets Juliana 28-year-old English bankerwho seems aloof about everything except his job. From the jump, Ava approaches the world with cleareyed humor. ISBN-13: 9780062968746. Already drawing comparisons to Sally Rooneys work, Exciting Times, by Naoise Dolan, has many of the familiar tropes of the millennial novel covered: Jealousy and obsession, love and late capitalism, sex and the internet all come whirling together in a wry and bracing tale of class and privilege. EXCITING TIMES is a joy from start to finish, and the perfect balm for these times-fresh, funny, sharp. Naoise Dolan, 2020. I found this an invigorating respite from how people usually assessed women.. Welcome to Hong Kong, where Julian (English) is a banker and Ava (Irish) is a leech. Add to cart. Here, she grapples with her feelings towards Julian, a rich, witty but largely emotionless banker, and Edith, an ambitious and striking lawyer. Both are well-educated and earning a good living. With Naoise Dolan on the literary scene, there are Exciting Times ahead.' - i-D. Membership Advantages. Ava, a 22-year-old Dubliner living in Hong Kong, describes herself as good at men. And then Julian writes to tell Ava he is coming back to Hong Kong Should Ava return to the easy compatibility of her life with Julian or take a leap into the unknown with Edith? Feelings for Edith but, confusingly, also for Julian. Secrets, shame, and adoption in the 1960sa poignant tale of a mother's enduring love. Publication Information. She spends so much time telling us how lacking she is that I started to believe her. Some will declare Ava sharp and wise and funny, a hyper-relatable protagonist. Behind Ryles veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. . Its not plot-driven and Ava as a character distances herself from people in the book, so shes not intrinsically likeable. Im not sure how many of you will actually love this novel. Heavily influenced by Sally Rooneys Normal People in terms of the tiresome indecisiveness of committing to a relationship, its as if Exciting Times is just Normal People set in China with some extra LGBT content packed in. I related to it immensely. Its a great pick for everyone whos sensitive and introspective, but also cynical and scared of relationships." I wasnt good at most things but I was good at men, Ava confides in the reader, and Julian was the richest man Id ever been good at.. GENERAL FICTION, by @thefamilybookshelf, "Exciting Timesis a sharp, character-driven story about the complicated relationships of three 20-somethings.. In June, we're reading author Naoise Dolan's debut book, Exciting Times a novel about an Irish millennial expat in Hong Kong who finds herself in a love triangle with a male banker and a female . "If I had to describe this book to someone in two sentences it would be like this:Eleanor OliphantandNormal Peoplegot together and had a baby. She said "completely" a lot and usually dropped the "t" in the middle. I know its frustrating that any new young female writer must find themselves compared to Sally Rooney. Are they as insensitive and indifferent as they seem to the foreign city they call home? Article I also really loved how the author addresses the Irish English references in the novel and wondered if non-Irish readers understand them. Though this model of relationship-as-power-struggle is hardly new, Dolan brings a fresh 21st-century sensibility to it. Ahead, we're showcasing the best fashion and beauty looks you can recreate now. Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. "Jealousy and obsession, love and late capitalism, sex and the internet all come whirling together in a wry and bracing tale of class . Its a story about intimacy, vulnerability, being alone, and being different versions of yourself with different people. - O, the Oprah Magazine EXCITING TIMES, by Naoise Dolan. Naoise Dolan has been compared to Sally Rooney, and I definitely think fans ofConversations With Friendsmay like this one more than I did!" @bookish_molly. Its a layered book because of these factors, and it works in the storys favor. An upcoming glossy series based on the debut novel of the same name by 29-year-old Irish author Naoise Dolan - and streaming giant Amazon will be behind it. The story of how this casual invitation turns the two girls into what they call "Summer sisters" is prefaced with a prologue in which Vix is asked by Caitlin to be her matron of honor. Do you take delight in words like "gormless"? Exciting Times Naoise Dolan $27.99 $26.03 in cart add to cart I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and. "Overall, this surprising novel is believable and piercingly written, with many hilarious linesFor fans of Rachel Khong's Goodbye, Vitamin." She, a . Ill update in the comments if I ever figure it out. Politically alert, heartbreakingly raw, and dryly funny, Exciting Times is thrillingly attuned to the great freedoms and greater uncertainties of modern love. When Ava leaves Ireland aged 22 to make her own money . Nenia I yeet my books back and forth Campbell, review of Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan on LonesomeReader. Reviews: Trustpilot. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself. Naoise Dolan - Exciting Times: A Novel Audiobook. It seemed farcical that I even needed to explain to Edith . Dolan encapsulates this in a perfect image near the end of Exciting Times, when Ava is tensely watching the three little dots on her messaging app: Edith is typing reads her screen. Read if you like Animals by Emma Jane Unsworth, Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Sunday Times Style. But did I like Exciting Times? Another month has whizzed by, seriously where is 2021 going so fast, and it is time for the latest #BookClub with Melanie and I. audible mp3, ePUB (Android), kindle, and audiobook. After graduating from Trinity, Dubliner Ava moves to Hong Kong to teach Englishthe only thing she is qualified to doand gets hired mostly because she is white. They trip her up and get in the way. . Exciting Times. New RRP 8.99. by None of the English-speaking characters seek to venture beyond their established social circles, where even brief references to elections or the conditions of domestic workers are dismissed as white savior-ish. They barely notice the Chinese characters on street signs, let alone try to understand them. Exciting Timesis a smart and funny book that deals with class, money, bisexuality, and the uncertainties of modern love through the eyes of a narrator that is scared to be loved. An exquisitely rendered portrait of a unique father-daughter relationship and a moving memoir of family and identity. This information about Exciting Times was first featured In stylish, uncluttered prose, Naoise Dolan dissects the personal and financial transactions that make up a life - and announces herself as a singular new voice. This book really does navigate the muddle of thought and inaction cleverly. - Book Riot Rooney writes more stream of consciousness and this is more tightly bound, but the emotions and ways of being felt so similar." However, as a TEFL teacher, Ava struggles with a myriad of contemplative problems and inner issues as she comes to terms with her feelings for both Julian and Edith. 'There was something Shakespearean about imperious men going down on you: the mighty have fallen.'. A literary and hilarious tour de force. (Image credit: Design By Morgan McMullen), (Image credit: Design by Morgan McMullen), We're InspiredCrisp Suiting and Bold Beauty is All We Can Currently Think About, Revolve Is Having a Huge One-Day-Only Saleand You Can Get $100 Off These Legendary Gucci Sunglasses, Jo Piazza and Christine Pride Tackle the Complicated Topic of Motherhood in 'You Were Always Mine', 'Token Black Girl' Is Our October Book Club Pick, 25 Books by Latinx Authors You Should Read Immediately, Join #ReadWithMC: Marie Claire's Virtual Monthly Book Club, 'Mika In Real Life' Is Our September Book Club Pick. HarperCollins. Its not easy to sustain interest in someone so relentlessly floundering for self-knowledge, and the book flags once Ava and Edith are together. ), On a personal level, I found Avas character very insular and detached, but the moments that worked their way under my skin were those where she drafted text messages which she didnt send. As they fall into a quasi-relationship, Ava moves into his apartment, where Julian allows her to live rent-free. Magazine Subscribers (How to Find Your Reader Number), 6 Queer Debuts To Read During Pride Month, Shortlists for Dalkey Literary Awards Are Revealed, Colleen Hoover Is Back. Let the BookTokking Begin, New Colleen Hoover Book Sells 800K Copies, Colleen Hoover Dominated Book Sales in 2022. The more I think about this novel the more it suffers in my estimations. But I'm going to just get it out of the way, for Naoise Dolan . @what_leah_reads. She creates her own isolation, whilst being envious of those who are not lonely. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added. Politically alert, heartbreakingly raw, and dryly funny, Exciting Times is thrillingly attuned to the great freedoms and greater uncertainties of modern love. I really am. In July, we'll be reading Brit Bennett's bestselling novel,The Vanishing Half (opens in new tab). And no squeamishness about asking for it, discussing it, hoarding it. Ava doesnt flinch. I took some time getting used to the narrators voice, but once I did, I became completely absorbed in Avas story. This is the kind of book that people are going to have vastly different opinions on. Heres how it works. Politically alert, heartbreakingly raw, and dryly funny, Exciting Times is thrillingly attuned to the great freedoms and greater uncertainties of modern love. Exciting Times, which was acquired in a seven-way bidding war, more than lives up to the . In a novel where human connection is such a challenge, these flickering pixels provide one of the most affecting and powerful moments. His privilege is the invisible third party in the relationship. Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over. Naoise Dolan. Its unusual and contemplative and just very different. $15 for 3 months. She is highly attuned both to the power dynamics at play (do you want me to depend on you? she asks him) and to her moral predicament, as she adds up how much money she is saving on rent, as well as on the clothes and meals Julian pays for with the funds he doesnt know what to do with. Read an excerpt from Danielle Prescod's new memoir, here, then dive in with us throughout the month. "Aimless Ava moves from Dublin to Hong Kong looking to find purpose for her life. However, this isnt anotherNormal Peopleand dont expect it to be. 256 pages The years in between are related in brief segments by numerous characters, but mostly by Vix. It felt authentic, less an added 'interesting' point, but a way of being that felt effortless. Your ultimate guide to the (arguably) best film genre: the romantic comedy. But when she asks whether he loves her, he cannot say more than "I like you a great deal." Youre not easily pleased with how other people put sentences together, Julian accuses, but when it comes to money, youve got no taste. Join BookBrowse today to start discovering exceptional books! Pre-publication book reviews and features keeping readers and industry The story follows Ava through two loosely defined relationshipswith Julian, a wealthy British banker, and with Edith, a Hong Kong born, Cambridge-educated lawyer. Exciting Times is a wily, caustic story about young love.It is set in Hong Kong in 2016, where Ava, a recent graduate from Dublin, has moved to teach English, ostensibly until she works out what . Everyone should read it right now. That, or I wanted to be him., Ava is hyper-verbal and exacting, and Dolans writing excels when Ava turns her analytical eye on the intersections between English syntax, zeitgeist technology and interpersonal relationships: Because I lacked warmth, I was mainly assigned grammar classes, where children not liking you was a positive performance indicator. Julian, her posh banker boyfriend, has such an apartment which is just as well, since he also has an arrogance to match his salary. Perhaps because Ava's first love interest, Julian, uncomfortably reminded me of someone from my past! Both intonations feel native to its 22 . By contrast, Avas written correspondences social media posts and emails she labors over, analyzes, doesnt send or sends by accident become increasingly vulnerable in their disclosures as the book moves along. Telling neither the full truth about the other, Ava finds herself falling in love with Edith. A young Dubliner in Hong Kong struggles to connect in this fresh and funny debut about love and self-knowledge. It was ok, but I was disappointed and wanted a little more." Susan Blumberg-Kason is the author of . Exciting Times PDF Details. Exciting Times is very funny in its cool observation and the way it takes us inside Avas spirals of overthinking. In a theme park designed for terminally ill children, a cynical employee falls in love with a mother desperate to hold on to her infected son. Again, this recalls Rooney, who uses emails both sent and unsent as a potent fictional technique, and writes in Normal People that the network is a form of intelligence in itself, containing them both, and containing their feelings for each other. In Naoise Dolan's 'Exciting Times,' an Irish ex-pat in Hong Kong lands in a love triangle. Judy Blume. In stylish, uncluttered prose, Naoise Dolan dissects the personal and financial transactions that make up a lifeand announces herself as a singular new voice. If Sally Rooney couldn't write, was more cynical and forgot everything about subtlety and realistic characterisation and dialogue. Eek! This book may be short, but it packs a huge punch. Which path does Ava end up taking? Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Still, Naoise Dolan deserves her own praise. As for the ending, given the character development up to that point, it just felt really implausible. I rolled my eyes a few times. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the sites day-to-day editorial operations. About a third into the story, when I was starting to wonder where everything was going, were introduced to Edith, a lawyer from Hong Kong who starts to capture Avas attention away from Julian. A banker who likes to spend money on Ava, to have sex and discuss fluctuating currencies with her. Stars = 4 / 5. Politics, grammar, and morality are explored with quick jabs and sharp wording. Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. East and West collide in a timely and bittersweet novel of loyalty, love, and the siren call of freedom. Ava wants to be herand wants her. But Julians impending return means Ava must decide not so much between her lovers as between Edith and the expensive flat that she doesnt pay for. Spare by Prince Harry and Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld: The biggest new books of 2023,Expect a reading frenzy for Prince Harry's memoir to kick off a year that also sees releases from 'Exciting Times' author Naoise Dolan and 'Open Water' writer Caleb Azumah Nelson Tags: culture inews.co.uk uconn edu I loved the IG stalking references, so current and fun to read. Ava, newly arrived in Hong Kong from Dublin, spends her days teaching English to rich children. @thereaderignites. If you love prose sprinkled with sarcasm, characters who could use some serious self-improvement, and complicated love stories, thenExciting Timeswill likely appeal to you. However, its the authors style of writing that really grew on me. Read an excerpt from the bookhere (opens in new tab). Politics FBI agents, prosecutors argued over Trump before raid 8:48pm Gophers Scoggins: Give . Exciting Times Book Rating. @book_gal. Edith is a local, sophisticated, and enthusiastic lawyer who falls in love with Ava and isnt afraid to say so. Title Everyone should read it right now. Find out exactly what #ReadWithMC loved and didn't love aboutExciting Times, below. Ava is a 21-year-old who leaves Ireland, where shes convinced everyone hates her, to become a teacher of English as a foreign language in Hong Kong. "Gaydars . Naoise Dolan is an Irish novelist. You get annoyed when a book includes references to politics/political issues/cultural references and you have NO IDEA what they mean (lots of info on politics in Ireland and Hong Kong, neither of which I knew OR cared to Google), While this style is definitely not for me, if you were a fan ofNormal PeopleandEleanor Oliphant,I can see you really enjoying this read and encourage you to try. All Rights Reserved. Sentences are short. Overall, the #ReadWithMC community had trouble relating to Ava, mainly due to her passive aggressiveness and inability to speak the truth to fellow characters in the book. Also, his father had been ill. Dolans writing is extremely sharp both cutting and tart but there are places where it feels overly cynical. Categories: Categories: Sally Rooney-endorsed. This can be really interesting territory for a novel, but it didn't completely work for me here. Given my absolute adoration of Rooney, its no surprise I loved this debut by a writer who counts Rooney as an inspiration and mentor. It finds her teaching English while abroad and indecisive about two lovers. Avas character provides us with biting social commentary. Though the novel had mixed reviews, one thing readers did agree on is that Dolan is a unique and smart writer who they'll continue to support throughout her career. 3. The actual experiences of local people her age have no effect whatsoever on Ava, the details of their lives mentioned, by the author, only in passing. Related Post: Why You Should Buy a Kindle As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. - Vogue Why do you like me? Ava asks him. evenings that often end in drunken blackouts or in bed with her sort-of boyfriend Julian, who . I need to have a protagonist I can rally behindand Avas self-pitying rants just made me irritated and wanting her to find a good therapist. But now theyre co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Search String: Summary | This debut novel tells the story of a millennial Irish expat who becomes entangled in a love triangle with a male banker and a female lawyer Aperus are withering. influencers in the know since 1933. by Who said I liked you? he counters. She talks to Ava about Ava, and delivers the odd riff on her mother or Judy Garland, but we never delve deep into her own feelings or get to see her vulnerabilities exposed. 2. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. Fiercely intelligent, brutally funny and written with such heart, Exciting Times announces an impressive new voice in literature. Overall. The dialog is brilliant throughout. I cant wait to read what Dolan writes next. Its good to know thats how I behave in this situation.. Since the content is visually instructed, it creates excitement in learning by the users and improves the retention rate to a greater extent which . Available in used condition with free delivery in the UK. The story centers on conflict within Ava, the main character. Naoise Dolan'sExciting Times (opens in new tab)drew instant comparisons to Sally Rooney'sConversations with Friends (opens in new tab)(2017) andNormal People (opens in new tab)(2019)perhaps because Dolan and Rooney are both brilliant Irish writers who instill a dry sense of humor in their characters. Already drawing comparisons to Sally Rooney's work, "Exciting Times," by Naoise Dolan, has many of the familiar tropes of the "millennial . She has been short-listed and long-listed for several prizes, including the Women's Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize, and the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. The literary rumor mill portrays Naoise Dolan as the new Sally Rooney, and that suggestion alone might push a writer onto the bestseller list these days. When Julian plans to return to Hong Kong, Ava must come clean to Edith and decide for herself which life she wants to live: one with romance and adventure or money and comfort. Still, Dolan deserves her own praise for her debut novel that centers on a millennial Irish expat named Ava who teaches abroad in Hong Kong, and ends up in a love triangle with a banker, Julian, and a lawyer, Edith.
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